Direction indicator for motor vehicles



Nov. 24, 192s. 1,562,145 A` C. M. DOWERS ET AL DIRECTION INDICATOR FCRMO'TCR VEHICLES Filed May l5, 1924 5 Sheeis-Sheet l llllllllllfllllllllll IIII INVENTOR Manor? .Zlogafz ATTORNEY Y Nov. 24, 1925- DIRECTION INDICATOR FOR MOTOR DCM/ER@ ET AL,

VEHICLES Filed May l5. 1924 5 Shees-Sheet 2 Nav. 24,1925.

f C. M. DOWERS ET AL DIRECTION INDICATOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES s shams-sheet s `1NvENToR bese/vf. Bou/ero'. Marlo/7 J?. foga.

Filed May l5 1924 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 24, lQS.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

CHESTERIVI. DOW'ERS AND MARION R. LOGAN, OF Cl-IEYENNE, VYOMING.

yDPtEClIOlT INDICATOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Application filed May 15, 1924. Serial No, 713,590.

Be it known that we, (lin-:smic M. Downes and fviyrnio: R. llenan, citizens of the lnited States, both residing at Cheyenne, in the county of Laramie and State of Tyoming. have invented a new and Improved Direction Indicator for Motor Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to direction indicators for motor vehicles and has for its general obj'ect to provide a simple and inexpensive structure of that type which is simple and positive in its function of indicating the direction a motor operator is about to take either at night or by day.

A great need exists for a practical device as above outlined which is in the nature ol an attachment readily mountable upon any conventional make of automobile without great trouble and expense of installation and which will be truly and .positively operable. The need referred to is especially felt by drivers of closed cars, in all seasons, and by drivers of all cars in Winter, as it is very disagreeable to have to open a Window to hand-signal trallic turns.

lTherefore, in its more detailed nature, the invention seeks to provide an attachment for motor vehicles which consists of apparatus inountable upon the instrument or dash board of a motor vehicle and adapted to be hand engaged for operating other or signalling apparatus mountable on the outside of the vehicle in cooperative relation therewith and in full view of other vehicular trafiicand perle riuns. The signalling apparatus embodies particular features of construction of an advanlageous chariutcr among which is included the ovision of signalling arrows for signalling lraliic direction at night Figure 2 is a rear view of the control mechanisms, the mechanical portion thereof being shown in rear elevation and the electrical part thereof in central section.

Figure 3 is a plan View of the crank control mechanism.

Figure et is a detail cross section taken on the line 4-4 on Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electric control mechanism and the electric circuit Wiring.

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the indicator body and mechanism with the rear cover removed, the rear light baille and glass support being also removed for purposes of illustration.

Figure 'i' is a vertical cross section taken on the line 7-7 on Figure G.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of the right7 turn indicating arrow.

Figure 9 is a detail perspective view of the left turn indicating arrow.

Figure lO is a central horizontal section of the indicator body and mechanism.

Figure 1l is a fragmentary perspective viewshowing the spring held yieldable members for covering the arrow slotWays.

Figure 12 is a detail perspective view of the partition and arrow guide Wall.

The invention comprises both a mechanical and an electric means for indicating the direction the driver of an auto vehicle is about to take so as to Warn drivers of other vehicles behind or before him, or pedestrians, of his contemplated action that they may govern themselves accordingly. A delinite cooperation exists between the electrical and mechanical mechanisms of the invention and While it is, of course, unnecessary to use the electrical connections during` thev day time When the mechanical indicating elements are readily visible, both the electrical and mechanical appliances are utilized in the night time and are so cooperative that both thereof have an indicating func tion, each cooperative with the other, but still individual to the extent that one does not in any Way act in conflict or diminution of the effect of the other. The invention embodies a mechanical control element mounted for convenient reach upon the instrument board of the vehicle, and electric contact means through which the operating element, actuated by the mechanical control, passes for the purpose of actuating the mechanical indicating devices and for simultalll) neously opening or closing the' electric cir cuits utilizedi'tor bringing into' action or cut-l ting out of action the electrical indicating devicesq and the main body of the invention', which is in the nature of a housingv secured to the motor vehicle at one side thereof inA cludes slot waysI 2' for permitting passagetherethrough or the vindicating elements, and an operating rod passage or aperture 3. End covers fl; are provided which are open taced, as at 5, to acon'imodate and present to View the glass corefplatesG held to position upon'the eiid'coiiers 4. by lthe securing lianges i'. The eii'dcovers Ll. are secured to position upon the open ends oit the casingl Vbyiinachine screws 8 which take through apertures in thesaid covers e and ythe housing l and into receiving socketv .nuts 9 secured within the housing l by soldering lor otherwise.

,lt will be observed by rejterence to` Figure l ot the drawings, that rthe glass plates `G are divided as'tolcolor into'an upper/and lower halt', the upper hal'tthereoit being suitably marked' to indicate cLeft direction. and thelower halt thereof being` suitably marked to lindicate Riglit direction. The portion lof theiglass which` indicates Lett is red in color and that indicating` Right is green in Vcolor. i Obviously, thesev glass'portions may be individual,thatis, be builtnp ot two separate plates por Amay be includedon a single plate specially preparedasi'toV color'. It will be also understood by reference to Figures v7 and l0 ot the drawings that both theendcoversL are sin'iilarly*equipped As it is de irons that the slotways Qbe suitably covered 'to 'prevent dust` and moisture Afrom entering the interior oi: the lioiising l to eiiect av rusting or lclogggijiiig oi the parts contained therein, we pioyi'del cojvers lfor the slotways in *the nature ot lingers l0,

each pivoted by a spring hinge connectioi'iV il at a point above its respectiife slot/way that the said lingers will yact to protect the slotw'ay eren when one ot the indicatingl elenients is acting therethrough, see Figure 11.

The housing l is divided, by the partition and arrow guide wall l2, into front and rear compartments designated 13' and le! respectively. 'This partition wall. stainped audit-armed from a single sheet i'iietal blank i to'in'clude securing ears l5, adapted to Lt'aciliy tate securing oii' the said partition lwithin the housing l, upper and lower arrow track ways y16 and 17 'for suitably guiding theV directionV indicating arrows hereinafter refy feri'ed t`o in detail, end stops 1S Ylorfthe arrows, upper and lower rollerr arin stops 19, a roller guide portion20, securing feet Ql'where'by tofacilitate'the mounting of a rack bar housing, hereinafterspeeiically relferred to, and suitable opening-3:22 through which the direction indicating lights may be viewed Jrroin the iti-ont ot the vehicle carrying the invention.

lla'eh'oi" the front and rear compartments 13 and la are provided with substantially V-shapedK light baflles 23, the Y converging portions lof which are joined to torni a bead respectire glass 6 to hold the sameagainst rattling. Each ot the baliles .s3 is provide-d with flanges 26 whereby the sainemay beriveted yor otherwise secured to the, adjacent walls otthehousing 'l in position, asis illustrated clearly in .ligure 7 of thedraw` 24f `for accoinn'iodating a rubber or felt packer ings, for ldividing `each front and rear ,com-

partnieiit into an uppergor Left direction indicating compartn'ient,and a lower or Right direction indicating coinpartinent,A

the bodyi'iortions Vot' said baiilesA serving to prevent confusion and inisdirectioir ot' the indicating lights when they are used at:

nighttime, and tor *proyiding.therebetween a 4sort olf .supplemental casing orl housing tor the actuating mechanism contained within the'housing l and hereinafter more speciiically referredltor lflielhousingl is pro-l vided with short sockets QT, theI internally projecting portions of which, are adapted? to accommodate the upper anddower in-,j

dicatingl lamps 28,V and a suitableI spool Y ci) bracket y 29` isVV provided which has one tlangeBOthereot' secured by bolt or screw. connections to the adjacent wallibithe1 housing l and the other Aflange 3l thereof` secured in suitable lmanner to the adjacent side o't' the inotoryehicle body so as to pro-A vide Va suitable support for holding the housing upon the motorvehiele and in View oi vdrivers ot motor vehicles and pedestrians.

(llbviously, the i'flange Slfn'iay be lorn'ied atl such an angle relativeto the body 2.() ot the 4 bracket as maybe necessary to suitably posi-c.

tion the housing l in properrelation `to the` surface of the iuotor lvehicle to which it is ably mounted in the lower gnideliand the.'

said arrow may be colored `green and marked to indicate a Right turn. The arrow 34C is constructed tohave a point portion directed toward the lett andthe arrow has Lesa-'745 a similar point marked thereon through the use of the color arrangement to indicate a Right direction, each arrow has secured thereto a roller guide 86, each including a roller groove 37 and having an extended portion 38 and being cut away as at 39 to permit movement thereof over the track portions 16 and 17. The extension 38 of the Left arrow extends downwardly, and

that of the Right arrow extends upward-l ly, in the manner illustrated in Figure G of the drawings and for the purpose of being in position for readily receiving the enagaging roller of the operating arm hereinafter specitically referred to.

A single operating arm l() so mounted and operable as to be capa-ble of etfecting the desired movement, projection and retraction, of the desired direction indicating element or arrow 3st or 35. The operating arm l0 is pivoted at 41 to the troughlikehousing 42 which, it w'll be observed, is of such shape as to permit its being formed up from a single sheet of metal, and is provided with a loose roller 43 at the end thereof, the pivot 4:1 providing for the swinging of the arm et() on an arc indicated bv the numeral sie, see Figure G of the drawings.

For providing for suitable movement of the operating arm on the arc referred to, we provide a small spur gear a5, which is either lived upon or formed integral with the pivot Ll1 of the arm and which is adapted to be engaged by the sliding gear rack 46 for being rotated thereby to the three positions indicated by full, dot and dot and dash lines on the said Figure 6.

The gear rack 46 is slidable in the trough of the housing 42 and has an operating arm 4-.7 secured thereto as at 48, the said rod eX- tending through the aperture E3 of the housing 1 and through the spool bracket 29 and electrical control housing mounted upon the instrunieut board and hereinafter specifical- Iv referred to.

.is before stated, the housing 4-2 is of a structure to permit the forming thereof from a single sheet ot metal to comprise t-he main trough-like portion thereof, and extensions t9 adapted to be secured to the ears 21 of the wall 12 to support the said housing, and a top turned-over flange 50, for preventing any tendency toward upward movement of the rack gear 46, the said flange 50 being cut out as at 51 to accommodate the positioning of the gear The operating rod ,4T extends through the aperture il and spool bracket 29 as above stated, and through the body of the motor vehicle, 1oehind the instrument board thereof where the same is secured., as at to a rack gear 53, slidably mounted in a trough-like housing oslsecured to the back of 'the instrument board, see l `igures El and The housing 54 is also formed from a single. sheet of metal to include the troughlike body thereof, a top turned-over f1A 553 preventing up movement ot the rack all, and ears 56 adapted lo carry the shaft and gear connections 5T. 'ihe shaft is projected through the instrument board and has secured thereupon a crank 58 whereby movement of the said shaft may be readily 'i' ted by the operator of the vehicle. The shatrI 57 is threaded to receive the small spur gear 5i), a jam nut 6() being provided to engage an extended sleeve portion of the to hold the same fixed to its position upon the shaft 5T. By providing this threaded connection :tor the gear 59 compensation for varied thicknesses of instrument board may be readily made and a suitable dash plate (31 may be provided for being fixed to the front of the instrument board to make a neat appearance of the crank connection.

ln passing from the spool bracket. 29 to the housing 54e, the operator rod 47 passes through the electric control housing (S2 in the nature of a rectangrgular housing which is provided with suitable insulating bushings at the points through which the said rod passes. The housing ($2 has lined within the saine four spring contact elements Gaf-o5, 6G and t3?, see Figure of the drawings. The contact springs are in electrical communication with the binding' posts (i8,

'T0 and i 1 respectively, suitable insulating bushings 72 being provided for insulating the said binding posts and spring coutacts from the said housing.

rlhe lower binding posts o9 and 71 are connected by the line wire 73 which is in turn connected by a suitable electric conducting wire to the source of ener v or motor vehicle battery indicated at i A suitable switch 75 may be spliced iu the connection just stated so that the electric energy may be, cut out when desired as` for example, when the invention is being used in day light, and the lutttery connection T41 is suitably groundeih as at To. llhc upper binding posts 38 and 7() are in coninumication, through the respective wiring connections 'TT--TS, with the socket plugs 333 and the lamps 18 with which they are connected, the said lamps being suitably grounded, as indicated at TS), see Figures 2 and An olive shaped contact mal-:ing element 8O is secured upon the operating rod -il-T within the housing 62 in a manner for being positioned centrally thereof when the parts are inthe normal inactive position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. This element t3() includes an insulating bushing S1 and a suitable securing screw which passes through a. portion of the element and engages the bushing 8l in a manthrough the slotways, a single operating arm adapted to move the indicating members selectively by arcuate movement, the said arm having an anti-friction roller, a guide memberl carried by each indicating member and adapted to be engaged by the said roller, and mechanism voperable from the instrument board of the vehicle for :moving the same. y

5. A device of the class described comprising, a housing adapted to be mounted at the side of a motor vehicle in position to be viewed before and behind and having slotways therein, direction indicatingmembers mounted to be projected and retractedl through the slotways, a single operating arm adapted to move the indicating members selectively by arcuate movement, the said arm having an anti-friction roller, a guide member carried by each indicating member and adapted to be engaged by the said roller, each said guide member having an extension for forming a start guide, a guide plate portion for guiding the roller when out of the influence of the guide members, and mechanism operable from the instrument board of the vehicle for moving the arm.

6. A device of the class described comprising, a housing adapted to be mounted at the side of a motor vehicle in position to be viewed before and behind and having slotways therein, direction indicating members mounted to be projected and retracted through the slotways, a single operating arm adapted to move the indicating members selectively by arcuate movement, the said arm having an anti-friction roller, a guide member carried by each indicating member and adapted to be engaged by the said roller, each said guide member having an extension for forming a start guide, a guide plate portion for guiding the roller when out of the infiuence of the guide members, stop lugs for being engaged by the rollers to limit the outward movement of the indicating members, spring clips for tightly holding the indicating members at their normally retracted positions, and

'mechanism operable from the instrument board of the vehicle for moving the arm.

T. A device of the class described comprising, a housing adapted to be mounted at the side of a motor vehicle in position to be viewed before and behind and having slotways therein, direction indicating members mounted to be projected and retracted through the slotways, a single operating arm adapt-ed to move the indicating members selectively by arcuate movement, the said arm having an anti-friction roller, a guide member` carried by each indicating member and adapted to be engaged by the said roller, a partition member for dividing the housing into troni' and rear compartments, the partition member being stamped from a single sheet of metal to include feet for being secured to the housing, guides for the indicating members, stops for the indicating members, stops adapted to be engaged by the roller, and a guide plate portion for guiding the roller 'whenout of influence of the guide members, and mechanism operable from the instrument board of the vehicle for moving the same.

device of the class described comprising, an open rectangular housing adapted lo' be mounted at the side of a motor vehicle in position to be viewed before and behind and having slotways therein, windowed end coi ers for the housing the glasses forming the windows thereof being distinctively marked to indicate directions, direction indicating members mounted to be projected and retracted through the slotways and distinctively marked to be associated with the markings of the Windows, illuminating members Within the housing and associated with the Windows and the indicating members, and mechanism operable from the instrument board of the vehicle, for projecting and retracting the indicating members.

9. A device of the class described comprising, an open rectangular housing adapted to be mounted at the side of a motor vehicle in position to be viewed before and behind and having slotways therein, windowed end covers for the housing the glasses forming the windows thereof being distinctively marked to indicate directions, direction indicating members mounted to be projected and retracted through the slotways and distinctively marked to be associated with the markings of the windows, illuminating members within the housing and associated with the Windows and the indicating members, mechanism operable from the instrument board of the vehicle for projecting and retracting the indicating members,

and lingers spring-hinge connected to the housing each at a point above a slotway toV yieldably close the same.

l0. A device of the class described comprising, an open rectangular housing adapted to be mounted at the side of a motor vehicle in position to be viewed before and behind and having slotvvays therein, windowed end covers for the housing, the glasses forming the Windows thereof being distinctively marked to indicate directions, direction indicating members mounted to be projected and retracted through the slotways and distinctively marked to be associated with the markings of the Windows, illuminating members'within the housing and associated with the windows and the indicating members, a single operating arm adapted to move the indicating members selectively by arcuate movement,'the said arm.havingv an anti-friction roller, a guide member car'- ridzby eachindieating member and adapted co-be engaged by the-saidroller, and mech-anism operable from `the instrument board of the 4vehicle lor inoving fthe Y arm.

ll. A device of theclass described comprisin'g,A Lan open rectangular housing adapted to be mounted at the side of ainotor vehicleV in position to be viewedbefore and behind land having slotvvays therein, Windovved end covers for the housing the glasses forming the Windows thereof being distinctively marked to indicate directions, direction in'dicatingmembers mounted to be projectedma'nd retract-ed through the slotivays and distinctively marked to be associated with the markings #of ythe yWindows, illuminating members'ivithin the housing and associated with the 'Windows and the indicating members,-'mechanism operable trom'thc instrument board of the'vehi'cle 'for projecting and retracting the indicating members, a partition'member for dividingthe housing into front and rear compartments, the parti tion member beingstamped from a single sheet of metal to include 'feetrfor being securedI to the housing-,f guides 'for th e indicating members; stops for the indicating members, stops. adapted to be engaged bythe roller, openings through which the light from the .illuminating ymembers maybe viewed fromtlulfront'when the respective indicating'memberihas"been projected, and guide plate portion lfor guidingrthe roller when outv o'l'iniuenceof the guide members.

`12. A l,device otthe class;descrilired comprising, an o'penreetangular `housing` adapted to'be mounted at the side of a m'otorvehicle in position to be viewed'bef'ore and'behinfl and havingr slotwaystherein, windowed 'end covers for the vhousing` the'glasses forming the windows thereof being distinctively marked to indicate directions,direction indicating members mounted to 'be projected and retractedthrongh theslotwfays land distinctive-lj.7 marked tobe zassociated with the markings of the windows, il-'lun'iinating Vmembers Awith in the housing and associ-ated with the i'vindows and the indicating members, mechanism operable @from the :instrument board of .the vehicle for project-ing and retractingfthe indicating members, r'iight `battles 'pr ventinggcon-usion of lthe villuminat-ing vmembers :and rivindt'nv fcoop'eration, 'thegsaid Ibai'- fles including] beads carrying shook absorbing elements :for 'engaging the ivindows.

13. AA device of lthe class described comprising, a-n open v-rectalngular :housing adapted -to be #mounted :attire side oft a `'inotor vehicle in :position tobe viewed before and dowed :end hefhousing, thejglasses windows -L-thereof being distinc tively do --zindicate :directions direcingrnembers ,mounted to k'be projdistinctively marked to `befassociated `with the ymarkings of the Windows, illuminatingv members With-in the housing and associate-d with the Windows and the indicating members, a single operating arm adapted to move the indicating` members selectively by arcuate movement, the'said arm having an anti friction roller, a guide member carried by each indicating member andadapted to be engaged 'by the said roller, mechanism operable from the instrument board of the vehicle for nioving the arm, light baiiles preventing confusion ot the illuminatinn' member and ivindoiv cooperation, the said baffles including' beads carrying shock absorbing elements lor engaging the Windows.

14. A device of the class described com-v prising, an open rectangular housing adapted to be mounted at the side' ot a motor vehicle in position to be viewed before and behind and having slotivays therein, windowed end covers for the housing, the glasses forming the Windows thereot' being distinctively marked to indicate directions, direction indicating members mounted to bef-projected and retracted through the slot- Ways and distinctively marked to be assoJ ciated with the markings of t-he Windows, illuminating members Within the housing' and associated with the Windows and the indicating members, mechanism operable; from the instrument boa rd ot the vehicle for projecting and ret 1acting the indicatingl members, a partition member 'tor dividing the housing into front and rear compart ments, the partition member being stamped from 'a single sheet 'of metal tri-'include teet for bein secured tothe housing, guides tor the indicating members, stops tor the iudicat ing i'i'iembers,` stops adapted to be engaged by the roller, openings through which the light from the illuminating` members may be viewed "from the front when the respective indicating member has been projected, a gui-de plate portion. for guiding the roller when out of infiuen'ce ot the guide members. and light baliies preventing 'confusion ot the illuminating member and window cooperation, the said bail-lies including beads vcarrying` shockabsorbing- 'elen'ionts tor 'engaging the windows. f

1'5. VA device otlhe class described coinprisii-rg, a housing eidap ed to be mounted atithe side Ior a :motor vehicle in position to 'be viewed before and behind and having slotwaystherein, direction 'indicating menibersmonntedto be projected and. retracted through th'eslotways, a single 'operating arm adapted to :move the indicating members selectively lby arcuate movement, the said armfhaving an 'antivffricti'on roller, fa'giiide membernerried by-"eac'h indicatin'giv member and;adaptedtobe eng 'f db v the seidroller1 mechanism ope :ble t Vthe instrument board oli the uehicle iter movnrq the -rsam'e,

and spring clips, one for engaging' each guide lnernber when the respective indicating men'ilier is at its normal retracted position to hold the same fronrrattling and in position tor properly receiving the roller.

l5. device ot' the class described comprising, an open rectangular housing adapted to be mounted at the side ot a motor rehiele in position to be viewed before and behind hariiig slotways therein, windowed end covers for the housing the forniingl the windows thereot being distinctively marked to indicate directions, direction indi :ating members mounted to be projected and retracted through the slotwayg and distinctively marked to be associated with the markings oit the windows, illuminating members within the housing and associated with the windows and the indicating members; niecuanism operable from the instrument board ot the Vehicle 'for projecting and retracting the indicating members and light baiiles preventing confusion olf the illun'iinating member and window cooperation, the said battles including beads carrying shock absorbing` elements tor engagingl the ,rindows, and being positioned in opposition to each other to i'oriu a housing for a part ot the projecting and rotracting mechanism.

1T. device of the class described comprising, an open rectangular housing adapted to be mounted at the `side olf a motor rehi lo in position to be viewed before and behind and haring lslotways therein, windowed end corers lior the housing the glasses 'forming tht` windows thereolE being distinctii'eiy marked to indicate directions, direction indicating members mounted to be proiertrd and retrarlcd through the slotways and d nctirely marked to be associated with the markings o'if the windo illuminating members within the housing and assoriated with the windows and the indicating members, a single operating arm adapted to more the indicating members selectively by arcuate movement, the said arm having an anti-friction roller, a guide ineinber carried by each indicating member and adapted to be engaged by the said roller, mechanism operable from the instrument board of the vehicle for moving the arm, the said mechanism including a longitudinally movible rod, crank gear and rack connections housed behind the automobile instrument board, the rack being secured to the rod, aut gear and rack coni'iections housed within the indicator housing, the gear thereof being secured to the operating arm and the rack thereof being secured to the rod.

18. A device of the class described comprising, an onen rectangular housing adapted to be mounted at the side of a motor vehicle in position to be viewed before and behind and having slotways therein, windowed end covers tor the housing the glasses torming the windows thereof being distinctively mai-lied to indicate directions, direction indicating members mounted to be projected and retracted through the slotways and distinctively marked to be associated with the n'iarkings of the windows, illuminating` members within the housing and associated. with. the windows and the indicating members, a single operating arm adapted to move the indicating members selectively by arcuate n'iovement, the said arm having an anti-friction roller, a guide member carried by each indicating member and adapted to be engaged by the said roller, mechanism operable from the ii'istrunient board ol." the Yehicle :lior moving the arm, ay housing lfor thegear and rack connections housed within the indi :ator housing and being Yformed liron'i a single sheet of metal, and a similar housing L'or the crank gear and rack connections to house the same behind the automobile instrument board the said housing being secured to the rear ot that board.

UlfUSllGR M. Dill/VERS. MARIN R. LGGAN. 

